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CHAT News Today stock photo of Primary and Preventative Health Services Minister Justin Wright. (Image Credit: File Photo/CHAT News)
By Jett Schwaier
Applications open

Alberta invests $10M in projects to improve primary care

Oct 7, 2026 | 10:50 AM

Alberta is investing $10 million in projects aimed at improving access to primary care and finding new ways to deliver health services across the province.

The funding is available through the Primary Care Innovation Fund, which supports projects designed to make care easier to access, connect patients with supports earlier and better meet the needs of communities.

Primary and Preventative Health Services Minister Justin Wright said in a release that primary care is the foundation of a strong health system.

“The Primary Care Innovation Fund is helping bring promising ideas into practical solutions that connect patients to care sooner, make the system easier to navigate and reduce unnecessary trips to emergency departments and hospitals,” Wright said.

“We want to find what works and expand it to benefit more Albertans.”

Projects supported through the fund’s first intake are already delivering results.

Praxus Health’s InnovateHealth training has equipped more than 200 primary care teams with practical tools to turn new ideas into lasting improvements in patient care.

Arthritis Society Canada has screened 130 infants using enhanced portable ultrasound technology to detect hip dysplasia earlier and reduce the risk of lifelong joint damage.

The University of Alberta has also delivered more than 630 virtual appointments to patients in 28 communities, bringing specialized perimenopause and menopause care closer to home.

“Introducing new approaches can be challenging for primary care teams managing complex demands,” Praxus Health co-founder and CEO Theresa Tang said in a release.

“The Primary Care Innovation Fund helped launch InnovateHealth, giving teams practical tools to lead change, test new ideas and improve care for patients across Alberta.”

The next intake of the program, covering 2026-27, will support organizations, care providers and community partners in testing, developing and expanding new approaches to primary care.

Applicants can apply through two funding streams: Primary Care Innovation, along with Health Equity and Prevention.

Projects can focus on improving access to primary care, connecting more Albertans with a regular provider or team, strengthening patient navigation and hospital-to-home transitions, and reducing avoidable emergency department visits and hospital stays.

To benefit more patients across the province, successful projects may be adapted and expanded.

Eligible applicants include Primary Care Networks, health system organizations, municipalities, Indigenous organizations, post-secondary institutions, non-profit organizations and eligible private-sector partners.

Funding is available through three tiers: up to $500,000 for proof-of-concept projects, $500,000 to $1 million for validation projects, and $1 million to $2 million for projects focused on spreading and scaling successful approaches.

Applications for the next intake are open until Nov. 2.

by Jett Schwaier